Malloy Replaces Rowland's CCEDA With CRDA

CHRISTOPHER KEATING

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Thursday that he is creating a new entity to promote economic development that will essentially replace a similar entity that had been created by then-Gov.John G. Rowland.

Malloy announced the formation of the Capital Region Development Authority, known as CRDA, to replace the Capital City Economic Development Authority, known as CCEDA.

The move requires approval by the state legislature, which begins its regular session in less than three weeks.

The 13-member board will seek to promote smooth operations at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, Rentschler Field in East Hartford, and the XL Center in the heart of downtown Hartford.

"Currently, we're operating facilities as if they're competitors - and I want that to end,'' Malloy told reporters in the Old Judiciary Room at the state Capitol, where the Rowland impeachment hearings were held in 2004. "I'm trying to reach a unified effort. ... What we need is a unified approach.''

Malloy said he wants to see the University of Connecticut's men's and women's basketball teams to play at the XL Center as often as possible.

"I want the XL Center to be used more nights,'' he said. "We need that venue to be kicked up a notch.''

When asked by a newspaper reporter if his efforts were cryptic, Malloy responded, "It's not cryptic. It's a work in progress. And for a work in progress, we need a new entity.''

He was joined at the news conference by multiple officials, including economic development commissioner Catherine Smith, state Sen. John Fonfara of Hartford, West Hartford mayor Scott Slifka, and state Rep. Timothy Larson, who served as mayor of East Hartford when Rentschler Field was being constructed in his hometown.